File: /2013-Vol Senior Manager, Parks 01

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1 City of Richmond Report to Committee To: From: Re: Parks Recreation and Cultural Services Committee Date: May Mike Redpath File: /2013-Vol Senior Manager Parks 01 National Hiking Trail Staff Recommendation That Richmond's participation in the National Hiking Trail initiative as described in the report "National Hiking Trail" dated March from the Senior Manager Parks be approved. K. Mike Redpath Senior Manager Parks ( ) Art. 2 REPORT CONCURCE CONCURRENN - REVIEWED BY DIRECTORt-/ INITIALS: b\}:l REVIEWED BY CAO I b ) PRCS - 34

2 May Origin Staff Report The City of Riclunond has been approached by Hike Be an affiliate of Hike Canada to participate in the National Hiking Trail initiative. Hike Be is a not-for-profit society that was founded in 2000 to coordinate the development and implementation of the National Hiking Trail in British Columbia. The National Hiking Trail was originated by Hike Canada in 1971 to achieve the following goals: To create a trail system that connects the nation from coast to coast (in essence "a footpath across Canada"). To promote general fitness through healthy outdoor activities. To help preserve places of natural scenic heritage cultural and historical value. To promote non-motorized tourism and education. The purposc of this report is to seek Council approval for including sections of the Dyke Trail as part of the National Hiking Trail. Tbis report responds to Council's tenn goal of Community Wellness and in particular Priority 10.4 "Continued emphasis on the development of the City's parks and trails system." Analysis Proposed Linkages Through Richmond Currently the National Hiking Trail begins in the east at St. John's and crosses the provinces of Newfoundland Nova Scotia New Brunswick Quebec Ontario Manitoba Saskatchewan Alberta and British Columbia. In BC the trail currently connects over 40 communities and integrates a number of established heritage trails. Hike BC is in the process of completing linkages in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. Staff have met with representatives from Hike Be to identify possible linkages to the National Hiking Trail. As this particular segment of the trail strives to connect Peace Arch to Cypress Provincial Park the proposed option through Richmond is as fo ll ows: South Dyke Trail beginning at No. 5 Road to Garry Point Park. West Dyke Trail from Garry Point Park to Terra Nova. Middle Ann Dyke Trail to Aberdeen Canada Line station. At the southern connection hikers would be encouraged to bus through the George Massey Tunnel and pick up the trail at the South Dyke (see attachment J). At the northern connection hikers from Richmond would board the Canada Line at the Aberdeen Station and take rapid transit to the terminus station in downtown Vancouver where it would connect to the seawall and Stanley Park or the sea bus and North Vancouver. PRCS - 35

3 May Benefits of Participation Richmond's participation in the National Hiking Trail will increase the profile of Richmond's dyke trail system and its waterfront amenities. The route would be identified as part of the National Hiking Trail through the inclusion of small trail markers to be added to existing trail signage (see attachment 2). Promotion of Richmond's inclusion on this nationwide network would occur on Hike Be's website through Hike Be promotional campaigns and through the development of an Android application for mobile phones that is currently being developed. Synergies with Existing and Proposed Trail Programs The National Hiking Trail is onc eftwo original cross-canada trails and has a vision to create "a footpath across Canada." With its focus on hiking the National Hiking Trail (managed by Hike BC) differs slightly from the Trans Canada Trail (managed by Trails BC) which is a multi-use amenity that features cycle paths as a large part of its network. The two trails occasionally intersect and work in partnership when it is beneficial for the communities involved. Currently the Trans Canada Trail does not connect through Richmond. although Trails BC has recently expressed interest in exploring a "Blue Heron" bicycle path connection from Vancouver to Delta by way of the Shell Road Trail and the Canada Line Bridge. Trail BC's timeline for this trail connection is 2017 and this proposed route is complimentary to the linkages proposed by Hike BC's National I-liking Trail as it showcases a different component of Richmond's dynamic trail system. The National Hiking Trail' s proposed linkages through Richmond support the City's participation in the Experience the Fraser Project that was endorsed by Council in May Experience the Fraser is a collaborative multi-agency initiative to promote the Fraser River as a world-class river destination and to stimulate economic investment through tourism opportunities. In Richmond Steveston has been identified as a node where people can come to "experience the Fraser" and the National Hiking Trail will reinforce this node as it will be prominently featured as part of the trail connection. Financial Impact None. Conclusion Richmond's participation in the National Hiking Trail is an opportunity to showcase Richmond's dynamic dyke trail network while promoting connectivity to other trails within the region. CjAv-- Serena Lusk Manager Parks Programs ( ) PRCS - 36

4 Attachment 1 VarKOUVff International Airport C ::----.m;""--:::;;; L Alderbridge Way {ambieroad Bridgeport Road.. tmi If -4' ns le r Hwy. - c m c 0! 1 Blundell Road - i.! f S!effiton Highway francis Road WltllamsRaa d z " z I -;I -- 1i." 1i Ii z iii Frandslload WilliamsRoad S tton HHjhway I z Z Moncton Street c z.... z FinnRoad National Hiking Trai l - Proposed Linkages Through Richmond PRCS - 37

5 Attachment 2 5" 5" Ll'I t:\ Sentier ;:.:- Pedestre --;. = NATIONAL.' : Hiking Trail.. \.:.: :.;:: '" ' SENTIER ;:.: NATIONAL "'.. -;... :.:. - '.. '&\ - Ll'I Example 2 /" '\.'" I ".. ( /1 ltl 1"" (!/IIIld. ' " Example 1 National Hiking PRCS - Trail 38 - Example of Trail Marker